The Indian River School District will host four public meetings next month on the $6.2 million referendum proposal slated to come before voters Jan. 29.

North Georgetown Elementary School at 664 N. Bedford St. will host the first public meeting on Jan. 7.

Long Neck Elementary School at 26064 School Lane in Millsboro will host at a similar meeting on Jan. 10, followed by Phillip C. Showell Elementary School at 41 Bethany Road in Selbyville on Jan. 15 and East Millsboro Elementary School at 29346 Iron Branch Road in Millsboro on Jan. 17.

All the meetings will begin at 7 p.m.

During each meeting, district officials will give a presentation outlining the various initiatives that would be funded by the referendum, followed by a public question-and-answer session.

The Jan. 29 referendum will include two separate ballot questions, each requiring a “for” or “against” vote.

The first question will seek a 3.2-cent increase in the property tax rate to raise money for the annual debt payment on district’s $4.4-million share of a proposed $11 million construction project that would add 38 new classrooms at six schools, including 8 classrooms at North Georgetown Elementary, and 8 classrooms and a new kitchen the Georgetown Elementary/Georgetown Middle School complex.

The second question will seek an 11.5-cent rate increase to raise $1.81 million to fund the hiring of 20 new teacher positions, provide new classrooms with furniture and supplies, and fund increased utility and fuel expenses related to the building expansions.

If approved, the referendum would increase the current school tax rate 6.5 percent from $2.623 per $100 of assessed property value to $2.77 per $100.

School officials say the 14.7-cent rate increase would equate to an annual tax increase of $38.05 for the average property owner.